Bougainville's President, Ishmael Toroama, said the people must not take the surge in Covid-19 cases lightly.
He said the catastrophic global pandemic is now causing an alarming number of deaths and reported cases in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region.
Official figures from Bougainville's pandemic controller, Clement Totavun, are that, as of Tuesday this week, nine people had died on Bougainville from Covid-19.
Photo: Supplied/ FB -Autonomous Bougainville Government
Mr Toroama said the fortnight-long lockdown, which began on Monday, is not to subdue individual rights but a protective measure for the welfare of the people.
The president said there are so many conspiracy theories about the virus but the reality is it is in Bougainville and increasing at an alarming rate.
He said vaccination is voluntary and no one will be forced to take it, but he says those that opt not to get it mustn't impede the rights of others to do so.
He said the autonomous government doesn't have a 'No Jab, No Job' policy but the covid-19 protocols still apply in the workplace environment.
Mr Toroama said some may deem the measures too drastic but the greater welfare of the people has to be taken into consideration.
He says "the simple action of adhering to these measures will go a long way in protecting the lives of countless Bougainvilleans."